9 Day - Nikau

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand

Having cleared customs & immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel.

The 'City of Sails' is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences. Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a mild climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping and you’re beginning to get the picture of Auckland. Also known as the City of Sails - a title gained from the view of yachts seen against the cityscape.

Two Nights Accommodation at the Heritage Hotel in Auckland. Perfectly positioned overlooking the sparkling Waitamata Harbour and the excitement of the America's Cup Village. Situated in the heart of Auckland's business district The Heritage is within walking distance of the city's many attractions, including the Sky Tower, Casino, the shops of Queen Street and Auckland city's finest cafés and restaurants.

Auckland provides visitors with so many wonderful experiences, plenty within easy reach of the downtown city centre. Today is a free day at leisure to relax & explore what Auckland has to offer. Perhaps visit Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter; take a cruise on Auckland Harbour or make your way to the top of the Sky Tower for spectacular views of Auckland city.

Sightseeing and activity options available:

Today, travel south to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches that separate the Pacific Ocean from the Hauraki Gulf. It is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life and is home to many arts & crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle. At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony before crossing the divide to the eastern side of the peninsula for our overnight stay in Pauanui.

One Nights Accommodation at Puka Park Resort in the coromandel. The stylish and private chalets are hidden amid 25 acres of lush, native bushland, each harmonising perfectly with the environment. . The resort’s signature restaurant, Miha, is renowned for superb dining, intimate ambience and stunning views, whilst the adjacent ti kouka bar offers the perfect environment to relax and unwind after a busy day exploring.

Journey along the Bay of Plenty coastline to Mt Maunganui & Tauranga. Then head inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua.

Geysers, mud pools and thermal springs have been attracting visitors to Rotorua since the 1800s and the living, breathing landscape never fails to amaze. Perched on the edge of a large lake, in the crater of an ancient volcano, this picturesque city is also the heartland of New Zealand's Maori culture. With 16 sparkling lakes within 20 minutes drive of the city, as well as magnificent forests surrounding, Rotorua has earned the reputation as the North Islands outdoors adventure centre offering an exciting array of experiences.

This evening, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural themal springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort.

Sightseeing and activity options available:

Two Nights Accommodation at the Duxton Hotel in Okawa Bay. Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotoiti, and just 15 minutes drive from central Rotorua the Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay is known for its idyllic setting, superb facilities and magnificent surroundings.

The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. You’ll experience spectacular scenery & some of the country’s best trout fishing & have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach before enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.

This morning, visit Wai-O-Tapu (meaning Sacred Waters), a wonderland of geothermal activity. Marvel at the reserve's unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud pools, steaming ground and sinter terrace formations. On our way to Lake Taupo, itself a gigantic volcanic crater following an enormous explosion in AD183, we stop to view the mighty Huka Falls & Wairakei Geothermal project and take time to walk around this popular lakeside resort. Journey on to Napier, widely regarded as the ‘Art Deco Capital of the World’, the result of a thorough rebuilding after a massive earthquake in 1931. It boasts the largest collection of Art Deco buildings outside of Miami, Florida. Nowhere else can you see as wide a variety of 1930’s-style buildings in such a concentrated area, including Striped Classical, Spanish Mission and above all, Art Deco. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon.

Two Nights Accommodation at the Te Pania Hotel in Napier. Hawkes Bay is one of the first places in the world to see the light each day, and the Hotel Te Pania in Napier enjoys a premium waterfront location on Marine Parade. The hotel’s slender curved form echoes the shape of the bay, and guests enjoy sweeping views out over the water.

Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’, the region boasts some of New Zealand’s best and oldest wineries. You can enjoy a guided wine trail & taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world’s largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves & orchards or simply relax & enjoy your surroundings.

Some alternative sightseeing and activity options are:

Today we journey south into the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region to Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand's National Wildlife Centre. In this beautiful setting of native forest, you see the finest collection of native birds including the Takahe, the rarest & most colourful of all New Zealand's birds. The centre also houses Tuatara, lizards & bats in its nocturnal house. Watch out for the enormous eels & trout that loiter under the bridges waiting for handouts. Later, continue on to Wellington, the nations capital, and enjoy a brief sightseeing & orientation tour before checking into our accommodation

One Nights Accommodation at the James Cook Hotel in Wellington. This luxurious hotel is situated in the heart of Wellington less than 500 metres from the harbour. Featuring modern, comfortable rooms, many of which boast breathtaking views of the harbour and city.

Wellington offers visitors a vibrant and sophisticated city experience, set within a natural amphitheatre of a harbour and lush green hills. Stylish cocktail bars, funky designer shopping, contemporary art galleries, award winning restaurants and cafes – Wellington really is New Zealand’s 'Capital of Cool'.

Sightseeing and activity options include:

Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Wellington airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra’, a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Please take the time to view our “Virtual Tour” for the 9 Day Nikau tour or download/print the detailed “Tour Dossier”. Both can be found on the right hand column of this page. Alternatively you can simply contact us. For a comprehensive list of all activities available in each location featured in this tour, please refer to the "Destination Guide" found at the top of this page.